And the Winners are…

CALGARY – The Calgary International Film Festival announced the audience award winning films today, in the annual Festival Wrap Press Conference held at Globe Cinema. All six awards were chosen by audience ballot, with a record number of ballots cast this year: 30,037, over 27,807 last year.

“The amazing audience reaction and overall feedback about the films this year put smiles on all our faces,” said Brenda Lieberman, Programming Manager, Calgary International Film Festival. “The films that won were part of that same buzz, and stood out in many ways. It would have been tough for our programmers to choose favourites, but we are so extremely happy for the filmmakers winning the awards today."

THE AMERICAN EPIC SESSIONS producer and screenwriter Allison McGourty was on hand to accept her film’s two awards – both the Audience Award and the Discovery Award for Best Feature Documentary.

"It's such an honor to come to Canada and be welcomed with so much enthusiasm by the Calgary International Film Festival and by all the people who came out to watch AMERICAN EPIC. To receive the 2016 CIFF Audience Award is an incredible honor and such a surprise. We are absolutely thrilled, and we would like to thank the audience who came out to see the film and vote for us. To receive the 2016 CIFF Discovery Award for Best First Feature, Documentary, is very humbling, especially as we have seen so many great films while we have been here at the festival and we would like to congratulate all the other filmmakers who were in consideration.”– Director Bernard MacMahon, and Producer/Screenwriter Allison McGourty.

Audience Awards are presented in two categories. The AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS (Sponsored by CTV) are voted on by audience ballot, which includes awards in the Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Live Action/Documentary Short Film, and Best Animated Short Film categories. All films screening in the festival are eligible for Audience Choice Awards.

The DISCOVERY: FIRST-TIME FEATURE FILMMAKER Awards (Sponsored by RBC) are voted on by audience ballot, and include awards for Best First Narrative Feature and Best First Documentary Feature. The recipients of these awards will receive $3,500 each, supported by RBC's Emerging Artists Program. Films in competition are listed here.

About the Calgary International Film Festival

The Calgary International Film Festival (Calgary Film) is a 12-day showcase of up to 200 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and over 40 other countries. The festival hosts gala events, screenings, special presentations, and a Behind the Screen series that emphasizes unique and exciting ways for filmmakers and fans to interact.